"How do you find the words to say Good bye?"

Part Four

Scene fourteen—police station—afternoon

Jake: Joe! Hey! (walks into his office)

Joe: Hi Jake. How are you and Vicky?

Jake: (thinks) We’re, um, we’re getting through this.

Joe: (nods) Good.

Jake: Yeah, do you have any more news?

Joe: I’m sorry, buddy we don’t. We’re still investigating. I’ll let you know when and if we find anything.

Jake: ‘Kay. Thanks.

Scene fifteen—McKinnon house—the same afternoon

Vicky is sitting on the couch watching tv. There’s a knock at the door. Vicky slowly gets up from the sofa and goes to the door and opens it. There’s a young teenage girl standing there. She has blond hair and blue eyes and is dressed in black capri pants and a tube top. She takes off her blue sunglasses and places them on her head.

Vicky: Uh—can I help you?

Teenage Girl: (sweetly) Um…I think so. Does Jake McKinnon live here?

Vicky: Yeah. Yeah, he does. And who are you?

Teenage Girl: Oh, excuse me, my name is Ashleigh. And I came here to speak to Jake.

Vicky: Oh, he’s not in right now. Would you like me to give him a message for you?

Ashleigh: That’s okay. (pauses) Um…

Vicky: (looks over the young girl) How do you know Jake?

Ashleigh: Actually, I don’t really know him. Tell you the truth, I’ve never met him. But…I’m his niece.

Vicky: His…niece?

Ashleigh: I’m sorry, I don’t think he even knows about me. But my father’s in prison and he told me to come here. He said Sean’s here?

Vicky: Sean. Yeah, he’s here.(confused)

Ashleigh: Oh, good! My dad was so worried that maybe he didn’t get here safely. My brother wanders around sometimes.

Vicky: So you’re Sean’s sister?

Ashleigh: (nods and smiles) Yes. I’m Ashleigh.

Vicky: (shakes her hand) I’m Vicky, Jake’s wife. (a little unsure) You wanna hang on a second?

Ashleigh: Sure.

Vicky calls Sean down and he walks over to the door way.

Sean: Ashleigh? What are you—

Ashleigh: Dad sent me, Sean. To make sure you were okay.

Vicky: Sean—this is your sister?

Sean: Yeah. Yes, she is.

Ashleigh: …And I have no where to go. Dad’s sister—aunt Lina, who I was staying with—she died last week.

Sean: Aunt Lina…d-died?

Ashleigh: (looks down) Yes. (gives her brother a hug) Sean, I miss you so much.

Sean: (looks at Vicky) Is it okay if Ashleigh comes in?

Vicky: (still a little curious about Ashleigh) Yeah. Come on in, Ashleigh.

Ashleigh follows Vicky into the living room and Sean sits down on the arm chair.

Vicky: Please—sit down.

Ashleigh: Thank you, Mrs. McKinnon. (sits down on the edge of the couch) It really is beautiful here. You’re so lucky, Sean.

Sean: (smiles) Yeah.

Vicky: So, Ashleigh…tell me a little about yourself.

Ashleigh: Well I go, I mean went to St. Anna’s Academy for Girls. My aunt used to—well, I don’t have a school to go to now. But I play lots of sports and I want to be an actress when I grow up. My dad calls me his little actress. He says my mom used to call me that, too.

Vicky: And where’s your mom?

Sean looks at Ashleigh. She looks down.

Ashleigh: Our mother died when we were ten years old, Mrs. McKinnon.

Vicky: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.

Ashleigh: It’s okay; most people don’t.

Vicky: So you two are twins?

Ashleigh: Yes, we are. We’ve always been really close. Haven’t we, Sean?

Sean: Yeah, we have. Until we were separated when Dad went to prison three years ago.

Vicky: Well, why don’t I see if Jake—

Before she could finish her sentence, Jake walks in the door.

Jake: Hey, Vic! (he sees Ashleigh)

Vicky: Jake, hi. I’d like you to meet Ashleigh.

Jake: (looks at Ashleigh and smiles)

Vicky: Ashleigh is Sean’s sister. Twin sister, actually.

Jake: (looks at Vicky then Ashleigh) That’d make you—my niece.

Ashleigh: That would be right. (they shake hands) Nice to meet you, Mr. McKinnon.

Jake: Call me Jake!

Ashleigh: Jake, then.

Vicky: Why don’t you explain to Jake why you’re here.

Jake: Kevin never mentioned a daughter—

Ashleigh: I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause you any trouble. But my father sent me here to look out for Sean. Honestly, I have no where to go. My aunt—who I was living with—suddenly passed away last week.

Jake: I’m sorry, Ashleigh.

Ashleigh: (looks at Sean) Like Mrs. McKinnon said, I’m Sean’s twin. We’re very close.

Jake: (looks at Vicky) Can we talk?

Vicky (stands up and follows him into the kitchen)

Cut to the kitchen.

Jake: Do you believe her?

Vicky: I do.

Jake: You do?

Vicky: Yeah. Do you?

Jake: Yeah—I guess so. But what are we going to do?

Vicky: What do you mean, what are we going to do?

Jake: Vicky, you heard her. She has no where to go.

Vicky: She did say that. She could stay here.

Jake: Are we sure about this?

Vicky: Yeah, I mean the guest room is free and Marley’s—gone. (pauses) Jake, I don’t see why not. And in the meantime you can check with Kevin and make sure this girl is who she claims to be.

Jake: Sounds good enough to me. Are you sure you’re okay with this?

Vicky: Yeah. Let’s do it.

Jake: Mmm. (gives her a kiss) I love you.

Cut to the living room.

Ashleigh looks up as Jake and Vicky come back into the room.

Jake: Ashleigh, Vicky and I have decided that…

Vicky: …You can stay here with us.

Ashleigh: (smiles, but then frowns) I don’t want to be any extra trouble. I just wanted to see my brother.

Vicky: No, no—you’re staying.

Ashleigh: (stands up) Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon.

Ashleigh walks over and gives her uncle Jake a big hug.

Jake: I know Kevin would be proud of you kids. (Jake gives Sean a pat on the back as Ashleigh gives Vicky a hug)

Ashleigh: Thank you both so much. I owe you a great deal.

Vicky: You don’t owe us anything, Ashleigh. Now on Monday, Jake and I will take you around Bay City and we’ll see what we can do school wise. Then we’ll just take it from there.

Ashleigh smiles.

Ashleigh: You’re so kind. If you ever need anything—I’ll be there. I can help out in any way.

Vicky: (looks at Jake. He nods) Well, actually, I’m expecting twins.

Ashleigh: (smiles) Twins? You?

Vicky laughs.

Ashleigh: I just love children, Mrs. McKinnon. If there’s anything I can do to help out, please just tell me.

Vicky: You’re sweet, Ashleigh. And you can call me Vicky.

Ashleigh: Aunt Vicky?

Vicky: Aunt Vicky it is. (Ashleigh gives her another hug) I feel at home all ready.

Jake: Do you have any bags, Ashleigh?

Ashleigh: (a little embarrassed) Actually, I just have this. (She points out the small knapsack on her back) I don’t own that much. When my aunt died, most of her stuff went to her only sister—but she lives in Europe. Sean or I have no other family. I remember when Sean and I were little, we lived here, in this town—Bay City. Then my mom died and shortly after that my dad was put in prison and transferred to a long term cell. This place does feel like home, but—

Vicky: Don’t worry about anything. We’re all happy!

Ashleigh: (laughs) You know, that’s what my mom always used to say, remember Sean?

Sean: I remember. Whenever you’d fall off the swings or get a cut.

Ashleigh: Yeah. (to Jake and Vicky) I’m really looking forward to living here with you all. It’s going to be a great experience.

Jake: Why don’t you come upstairs, Ashleigh. I’ll show you your room.

Scene sixteen—Ashleigh’s room—that evening, after supper.

Vicky: (knocks on Ashleigh’s door)

Ashleigh: (brightly) Come on in!

Vicky opens the door and walks into her neice’s room. Ashleigh is sitting on her bed holding a small photo album.

Ashleigh: Hi, aunt Vicky.

Vicky: Hi. Here’s few things for your room. (sets down the small box)

Ashleigh: Thanks very much. I appreciate it.

Vicky: No problem. (she turns to leave)

Ashleigh: Aunt Vicky? (Vicky turns around) Do you have a few minutes? I’d like to show you a couple of things.

Vicky: (smiles) Sure. (she sits down beside Ashleigh on her bed)

Ashleigh shows her some pictures of when she was young.

Ashleigh: That’s Sean, my mother, and I—just before our tenth birthday. And there we are with my dad. (points to another photo) And here’s my favorite picture of my mother—her name was Anne.

Vicky: She’s beautiful. Just like you.

Ashleigh: (still looking at her mother) She is. I mean, was. I think about her everyday.

Vicky: I lost my father when I was younger. I know how you must feel.

Ashleigh: I’m glad we can be friends; and that you’re my aunt. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to talk to someone like you, Vicky.

Vicky: You’re a great girl, Ashleigh.

Ashleigh: (blushes) I don’t want to interfere in your or Jake’s life.

Vicky: You're not. We’ll always have time for you, Ash. And the twins will be coming soon.

Ashleigh: Forgive me, but you don’t look pregnant!

Vicky: (laughs with Ashleigh) Don’t worry, I will soon enough!

Ashleigh: (grins) I’d love to help out with the twins. Do you have any names picked out?

Vicky: Not yet. But we’re thinking about it. They’re girls.

Ashleigh: Two little girls? You’re so lucky! I’ve always dreamt, since I was a little girl, that when I grew up I’d have two girls. I want to name one Anne after my mother. And I could never think of another name. But I think Vicky would be a great name to name a little girl. Is that okay with you?

Vicky: I’d be honored.

Ashleigh: I really don’t know that much about you. Do you have any other kids?

Vicky: We have two boys, Steven and Kirkland who live here. And my mother Donna lives here as well.

Ashleigh: If she’s anything like you, I can’t wait to meet her! And your sons, too!

Vicky: And Ashleigh, I think I should let you know that my sister, my twin—Marley—she’s in the hospital, in a coma.

Ashleigh: (shocked) Oh my God, aunt Vicky, I’m so sorry. How are you and Jake doing? Oh, I wouldn’t have came if I’d known. I don’t want to get in your way.

Vicky: Ash, you’re not. It would be a big help, though if you could help take care of the boys when Jake and I are at the hospital.

Ashleigh: Already taken care of! Just tell me when.

Vicky: (rests her hand on her niece’s face) You’re a great help, Ashleigh.

Ashleigh: (smiles) You know something? You remind me so much of my mom. Your big smile and your sparkling eyes. You’re going to be a great mother to those twins. And Jake’s going to be a great father. You know, I’ve spent less than a hour with him, but I feel like I already know him so well. He seems like such a great guy.

Vicky: He is. (smiles and strokes Ashleigh’s blond hair off her face) Why don’t you get some sleep, sweetheart.

Ashleigh: Not unless you’d like me to watch Steven…and—(trying to remember his name)

Vicky: —Kirkland.

Ashleigh: Kirkland—right. Do you and Jake want to go out tonight?

Vicky: I think we’ll be staying in tonight. I was at the hospital earlier yesterday—and I don’t think I can stand going back there tonight.

Ashleigh: I understand. I have something for you. (takes something out of her small knapsack) Here—(she hands Vicky a small box)

Vicky: (opens it and looks inside. There are two little silver necklaces) Ashleigh, these are beautiful—

Ashleigh: I want you to keep them. They were Sean’s and mine when we were born. I want your little girls to have them.

Vicky: (almost crying) Ash, come here—(Vicky gives her new niece a hug). That’s so thoughtful of you. I’ll keep them for the twins and when they’re born I want you to give it to them. They’ll always have it to remember you and one day they’ll be very grateful.

Ashleigh: It must be so exciting having children. It’s like having someone you can call your own.

Vicky: It is great, Ashleigh. And someday I know you’ll be a great mother. (stands up) Come here.

Ashleigh follows Vicky to her bedroom. Vicky fumbles around in her jewelry box and pulls out a charm necklace. She puts it around Ashleigh’s neck.

Vicky: My mom gave this to me on my tenth birthday. I don’t wear it that much anymore. It looks good on you.

Ashleigh: Oh, thank you aunt Vicky. I will treasure it forever!

Jake comes into the room.

Jake: And what are you ladies up to?

Vicky: (in her mischievous voice) Oh, nothing.

Jake puts his arms around Vicky. Ashleigh laughs.

Ashleigh: Thanks again, uncle Jake.

Jake: (smiles) You’re always welcome here, Ashleigh.

Ashleigh: I’ve figured that out. Just talking to you both, I love you so much.

Vicky: We love you, too.

Jake: We love you, Ash.

Ashleigh: All right, I’ll leave you two alone. Is there anything you’d like me to do downstairs? Wash the dishes? Clean up?

Jake: It’s all done.

Vicky: We want you to just go and sleep. You must be tired.

Ashleigh: (yawns) I guess a little.

Vicky: And tomorrow I want to take you out shopping—we’ll go to the mall.

Ashleigh: (hugs them both) I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.

Jake: Good night.

Ashleigh: Good night, thanks again! (Ashleigh heads off down the hall to her room)

Ashleigh sits down on by the bay window in her room that overlooks the backyard and beyond. Ashleigh sees Sean come into her bedroom doorway.

Sean: Hey, sis.

Ashleigh: Hey, bro. I’ve missed you. (Ashleigh gets up and she gives her brother a long hug)